Friday, May 6, 2011

Pocatella, ID: Pocatello man charged with 1st degree murder in estranged wife's bludgeoning death

POCATELLO, Idaho — Bannock County prosecutors say the estranged husband of a Pocatello woman who was found beaten to death late Monday has been charged with first degree murder.

Officials say the charges were filed against Michael Sparks in the death of 41-year-old Judith Rachel Johnson. Sparks was expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

Pocatello police have said Sparks fled the house and was involved in a single-vehicle crash northeast of Pocatello shortly after midnight Monday. He was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries.

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Neilsen says

Johnson was beaten with a rifle and a baseball bat.

Officials said the couple had been married for about a year. Ellis has said there was a history of domestic abuse and Johnson had a "no contact" order against Sparks.

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